ABINGDON — An Independence man arrested during the Operation Rolling Thunder investigation was sentenced last week in federal court for his part in a methamphetamine distribution network, and seven more co-defendants are set to be sentenced this week.

Operation Rolling Thunder was a joint local, state and federal investigation. A total of 24 people were charged; 21 have pleaded guilty and three have not been convicted.

INDEPENDENCE — The 17th annual Bid for a Cure charity auction will be held on March 17 in the Grayson County High School auditorium in Independence.

For more than 20 years, the local Bid for a Cure event has raised funds to help researchers and doctors as they develop more and better treatments and gain ground in their race for a cure for cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that can impede breathing and normal physical growth.

HILLSVILLE – Carroll County High School’s intercession classes went out with a blast the week of March 5 as students enjoyed activities ranging from field trips to live music and rocket experiments.

CCHS Intercession Coordinators Jay Holderfield, Debbie Robinson and Britt Mundy took the interests of all students into mind when coming up with a plan designed to help students think outside the box and to engage them in events that would spark intellectual interest and promote creativity.

For all
For some reason, socialism in a dirty word. Here are some examples of American socialism to chew on: our highways, parks, health clinics, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, public education and so on. For those of us who enjoy a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, bingo. That is socialism.

A Galax man was arrested and charged on Feb. 26 for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to a report from the Galax Police Department.

Officer Dakota Martin was advised by a citizen that two occupants of a vehicle in a parking lot were acting in a strange manner. Martin, along with Officer Terry Woods, responded and found a vehicle operated by Jerry Wayne Evans, 34.

After a short investigation, Martin arrested Evans. He was also charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

INDEPENDENCE ― Land recently purchased by Grayson County will connect the waterfall property on Powerhouse Road, a popular stop for tourists and locals in Independence, to the Grayson County Recreational Park.

According to a recent announcement, the county bought around 11 acres of land in Independence, which previously separated the falls from the recreational park, from a private landowner for $160,000.

Chestnut Creek School of the Arts held its first campus-wide open house on March 3, at the main building, the woodworking studio and the pottery studio, all located in downtown Galax.

The event featured demonstrations, refreshments and appearances by CCSA mascot “Arty,” as well as an unveiling of donor appreciation plaques at the woodworking studio, detailing who had given funds for various aspects of the studio and leaving open slots for future donors.

HILLSVILLE – A group of concerned citizens gathered together Sunday to let their freedom of speech ring across Hillsville, while they marched along Main Street and U.S. 58 advocating for the reform of current firearm laws.

The Rev. Kevin Campbell of Hillsville Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Amanda Moore of Hillsville Christian Church led the gathering.